Billerica out to make center safer for pedestrians

Curb extensions, flashing crosswalks among proposals

BILLERICA -- When pedestrians try to cross the town center, some say they have the same success rate as Frogger making it across.

As one Billerica selectman explained, it's "demolition derby" out there as cars fly 50 to 60 mph through the busy center, making it extremely dangerous for walkers to cross the rotary.

But the town is committed to making the center as safe as possible, according to Town Manager John Curran. The Traffic Management Committee recently proposed pedestrian-safety improvements with flashing crosswalks and "bump-outs," which are curb extensions, that would make the area much more friendly to walkers.

Selectmen, the town's roadway commissioners who have the final say, have some concerns about the changes, but everyone agrees that modifications are necessary in the center.

"The fundamental thing about this plan is many of the changes are improvements to public safety," Curran said last week. "It's not the most desirable situation, but they're improvements to what's there. We're going to try to improve the area with crosswalks in unsignalized locations.

"We want to make sure it's as safe as possible," he added. "I know some selectmen have some issues with the changes, but this is for public safety. These changes make sense."

The pedestrian-safety improvements are estimated at $240,000, which breaks down to $200,000 for the construction cost and $40,000 for a 20 percent contingency. The funding would come out of state Chapter 90 road money, Curran said.

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This improvement plan comes about a year and a half after voters rejected the $14 million proposal to reinvent the town center, which had been approved by Town Meeting a month earlier.

The $14 million proposal would have included returning two-way traffic to Boston Road, slimming Concord Road to a single lane and increasing sidewalk space along the common's business side, as well as burying utilities, to name a few details. Concord Road's three lanes of southbound one-way traffic would have been slimmed to a single northbound lane, effectively ending the rotary configuration.

While drivers won't see anything like this, some flashing crosswalks and bump-outs could be coming soon to the town center.

The proposal from the Traffic Management Committee includes blinking crosswalk lights, in which the pedestrian presses a button for the lights to go on, so it'd be much more clear that a pedestrian is trying to cross, according to Marty Conway, chairman of the traffic committee.

Studies have shown the amount of cars stopping at the flashing pedestrian lights goes up to 80 percent, compared to the usual 52 percent, Conway told selectmen at a recent meeting.

The four blinking crosswalk lights are proposed in front of the Masonic Lodge on Concord Road, in front of the Center Cafe on Boston Road, down Concord Road by Richardson Street, and on Charnstaffe Lane by an assisted living community.

In addition, the bump-outs in the center would reduce the lanes of traffic, which would narrow the crosswalk spans and result in shorter, quicker and safer walks across the road, according to Conway.

"Most people who use the sidewalks are elderly who take a while to cross, so while narrowing the lanes of traffic with these bump outs, it allows them to get across safely," Conway said. "There's heavy volume in the center and car speed can be an issue at various times. We've followed the federal regulations for crosswalks, narrowing the roadway in certain spots to make crosswalks safe."

The bump-outs, which allows for wheelchair ramps, would reduce the three lanes on Boston Road to two lanes, as well as reduce the three lanes on Concord Road to two lanes. The reduction in lanes better controls traffic because it helps eliminate jockeying for position, according to Conway.

But not all selectmen are on board with the bump-outs. Selectman George Simolaris said the flashing crosswalks are positive, but he emphasized the bump outs would cause traffic backups.

"Those lights are more than adequate for pedestrian safety, but the bump outs are stupid. They would ruin the traffic pattern and impede the flow of traffic," Simolaris said last week. "This plan would ruin the traffic in the center. The bump-outs are just ridiculous."

Selectmen Mike Rosa, John Piscatelli and Dan Burns also said the proposed bump-out in front of the Masonic Lodge could cause a major traffic pinch-point. Burns said traffic is already backed up over there on Concord Road, and getting rid of room would not help, he added.

"We should simulate the loss of roadway and see what happens for a week or so," Burns said. "We'd see if that would create a problem onto ourselves or not."

Rosa said the bump-out would not eliminate cars jockeying, just reduce the area to do it. Sliding the bump out north on Concord Road, in the direction of Town Hall, would give cars more space to orient themselves into three lanes, he said.

There should also be more research into the impact on traffic flow, Piscatelli said. It's important to have these pedestrian improvements while making sure they don't adversely affect traffic flow, he said.

However, Selectman Andrew Deslaurier said the bump out in front of the Masonic Lodge is appropriate.

"This is the most important, going from the library and senior center across the center. This is where it needs to be increasingly safe," Deslaurier said. "It does reduce access to the left lane, but it also makes people slow down and enhances pedestrian safety, making crossing more feasible."

Rosa also said the engineers should look at adding texture to the key crosswalks, which would help them stand out to drivers.

In addition, Rosa said there should be three lanes at the end of Andover Road, with one lane specifically for River Street. That lane would help loosen up congestion on Andover Road, he said.

The selectmen requests are now being reviewed by the engineers, who will amend the plan where appropriate. Curran expects the engineers will bring back the plan to selectmen in one of the next few board meetings.

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